Respiratory Therapist Professions of caring career project: Where Am I Going? Part 2 Interview

Why did you decide to work in this field?

My grandmother had asthma, so I have always been acutely aware of the importance of the challenges some people experience with the simple act of breathing.

Did you have another career before you went to school to become a ____? What was it like to change from one career to another?

I did consider becoming a nurse at one point, and I worked in various doctor's offices before going to school to get my B.A. And my licensure in respiratory therapy.

Where did you go to school for this job? What was the hardest part of school for you?

I first got my Associate's degree from a local community college, before moving on to get my Baccalaureate. Then, I had to take my licensure exam to be able to practice. The most difficult part of school was working and going to school at the same time.

Q4. What is a typical workday like? Do you have a lot of overtime? (If yes, How is overtime scheduled? Do you have enough notification so you can adjust your schedule at home, etc. )

I work in a hospital, but most of my days are fairly regular because I have...

If I worked in the ER, my schedule would be much more variable.
Q5. Do you work under a lot of pressure in this job? (If yes) Can you give me an example of a typical high-pressure situation?

While not as stressful as if I worked in the ER, I do believe that there is a certain amount of pressure, given how necessary the services are that I perform for my patients.

Q6. Is there a lot of take-home work in this job? (If yes, do you ever find it hard to turn-off work at home and enjoy a personal/family life?)

It can be hard not to take work home emotionally, especially when I see patients who are living severely compromised lives because of respiratory distress.

Q7. What kinds of professional development opportunities are there in this field? Can a person move up in this career?

Although respiratory therapy is a fairly specific field of medicine, there are many opportunities to work in hospitals, ERs, nursing homes, clinics and other areas. There is job flexibility.

Q8. Do you see this field as growing and expanding? Can you give me examples of why you think this is happening?

Yes. The population is aging and respiratory diseases such…